Rohit Sharma's Biggest Challenge Ahead of Lord's Has Nothing to Do With Strike Rate

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes Rohit Sharma's strike rate should not be a cause for concern ahead of the third ODI against England, insisting the India captain's inability to convert promising starts has been a bigger issue in the series.

Speaking on JioStar's Game Plan, Nayar also assessed Virat Kohli's positive approach, India's possible team combination for the series decider at Lord's and the challenge of dismissing England's in-form Joe Root.

Rohit Sharma must turn starts into big scores

Nayar defended Rohit's measured approach in the second ODI, pointing to the challenging batting conditions in Cardiff.

According to Nayar, the seaming surface demanded patience, particularly after India lost Shubman Gill early in the innings.

"Conditions are the most important thing. You have to respect them and in the second ODI, the ball was seaming and stopping, so batters had to take time," Nayar said on JioStar's *Game Plan*.

He argued that Rohit's tempo was appropriate for the conditions, citing Joe Root's match-winning innings as evidence that run-scoring was difficult.

"I'm not too worried about the strike rate of Rohit, but I am concerned that when he reaches a score of 26 or 27, he usually converts it into a fifty. He doesn't get out to off-spinners often, but he did in the last match. For me, it's more about mindset than skill. But he is batting well, so I'm not concerned."

Nayar expects Rohit Sharma to adjust against Sam Curran

Nayar also believes Rohit will make tactical changes against Sam Curran after the England all-rounder kept him quiet during the second ODI.

He suggested Rohit could alter his guard or batting position to counter Curran's movement off the seam.

"Rohit Sharma will 100 per cent have to come up with a plan to counter Sam Curran. In the first ODI, he stepped out and tried to attack him. In the last match, he played a maiden over against Curran, which is very unlike Rohit."

Nayar added that Curran's consistency, rather than outright pace or swing, has made him effective against the Indian captain.

Virat Kohli's fearless approach has impressed Nayar

Nayar reserved special praise for Virat Kohli, saying the former India captain appears to be batting with a freedom that makes him even more dangerous.

He highlighted Kohli's willingness to attack both pace and spin, along with subtle tactical adjustments in his stance against leg-spin.

"One thing I have liked about him in this series and in the recent past is that he is playing without fear. This is not the Virat Kohli who just looks for singles. He is playing big shots too."

Nayar pointed to Kohli's use of the crease and aggressive intent as signs that he is in a strong mental space.

"Watching him bat, his body language shows a free-flowing, unapologetic batter. That is when you are most dangerous, when you have no fear and nothing left to prove."

India could consider changes for the Lord's ODI

Looking ahead to the series decider, Nayar expects India to weigh up different bowling combinations based on the conditions at Lord's.

He suggested Kuldeep Yadav could return if spin is expected to play a role, while Prince Yadav is another option if India opt for an extra specialist seamer.

> "There will definitely be discussions about how to get Joe Root out. The team will look for a solution. It will depend on the conditions."

Nayar also indicated that England's successful four-pronged pace attack in Cardiff could influence India's selection strategy.

Bumrah versus Root remains the key contest

Despite Joe Root's outstanding form, Nayar believes Jasprit Bumrah has executed his plans well throughout the series.

Instead, he credited Root's game management during England's chase in Cardiff, noting that the modest target allowed him to avoid taking unnecessary risks against India's premier fast bowler.

"Honestly, I don't see anything Jasprit Bumrah could do better. He has bowled in the right areas, hit the right lengths, and challenged Joe Root with his outswingers."

Nayar feels Lord's slope could offer Bumrah additional assistance, particularly by bringing the ball back into Root's pads as India look to reclaim the series in the third ODI.